Head of Zimbabwe Cricket blocked from entering Australia

Sydney, Jan 30 (ANI): Peter Chingoka, the head of Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC), has been refused entry into Australia because of his links with the regime led by Robert Mugabe and will be absent from a meeting of the International Cricket Council in Perth starting on Saturday.

The ICC will hold a two-day board meeting without Chingoka. It is unclear whether Chingoka applied for a visa to enter Australia, however it is understood that Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) would have refused his application.

Chingoka and ZC chief executive Ozias Bvute are among a DFAT list of 254 Zimbabweans not permitted entry into Australia because of their relationships with the Mugabe regime, the Sydeny Mornig Herald reported.

The ICC has confirmed Wilfred Mukondiwa will represent ZC at the meeting in place of Chingoka.

Despite Chingokas absence, Zimbabwean cricket will be one of the items discussed at the meeting, following the presentation of a report made by a fact-finding delegation to the country last year.

Other items to be discussed include fixturing from 2012 onwards, preparations for this years scheduled Champions Trophy and the Indian Cricket Leagues bid for recognition from the ICC. (ANI)